The Atlantic Area Chamber’s 14th Annual Scrooge Contest, sponsored by Hockenberry Family Care
and Longaberger Consultant – Dolly Bergmann, is underway during the month of November. Eleanor
Hoover organized the contest back in 2002 just one year after the inaugural Lighted Parade.
The Scrooge contestants raise money and collect non-perishable food items for the Atlantic Food
Pantry.

Karla Eilts

Mark McNees

Kyle Bartholic

Rob Tarrell

Kevin Wieser

The 2014 candidates include: Karla Eilts, Rex Pharmacy; Kevin Wieser, Brown’s Shoe Fit;
Kyle Bartholic, Youth Leader at E Free Church; Mark McNees, Atlantic Fire Chief and U.S. Postal
Service; and Rob Tarrell, Cub Scouts. According to Hoover, “Candidates can choose any method they want in collecting their points. In the past, candidates have hosted soup suppers, and put pictures and boxes in local businesses to collect food donations.”

Contestants are responsible for collecting and submitting their points to the Chamber by December 4th at Noon. The contestant with the most points will be named, Scrooge, and all proceeds will benefit the Atlantic Food Pantry. Winner of the Scrooge Contest serves as the Grand Marshal in the Lighted Parade on Dec. 6th at 6 p.m. in Downtown Atlantic. Cash donations are worth one point on the dollar and two non-perishable items earn the contestants one point.

Past Scrooge titles have been awarded to: Devin Ferguson 2002, Eleanor Hoover 2003, Rex
McDermott 2004, Tonia Goft 2005, Rick Harlan 2006, Mary Ann Moorman 2007, Dana Halder
2008, Tammy Wise & Janet Huey 2009, Ritchie Anderson 2010, Janet Cappel 2011, Melanie Petty
2012 and David Miller 2013.

Hoover said the Scrooge title is used because,“Contestants find the meaning of Christmas, by giving
to others,” explaining that is the real honor of being named Scrooge.“Therefore, I am hoping that
together as a community we will assist the contestants to provide many neighbors and friends the
same joy of having a meal to celebrate the holidays.”

The contest will run from November 1st to December 4th. Donations to a contestant can be made by
delivering food or funds to their drop off locations or the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce. For
more information please call the Chamber at 712.243.3017 or email chamber@atlanticiowa.com.